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Meeting Minutes

TORCH CLUB of the FOX VALLEY
M i n u t e s
9 April 2009
Atlas Coffee Mill & Café

Present: Al Button, David Debbink, Leota Ester, Barb & Bill Kelly, Mary Poulson, Bob Swain, Peter Thiel, Pat Warrick, Donna & Len Weis, Janet Wullner-Faiss Cloak
Guests: Erika & Andrew Weiss

PRESIDENT Barb Kelly, after our social half hour (plus), called the meeting to order at 6:42 (Atlas Classroom). Bill Kelly introduced their guests, Erika and Andrew Weiss.

MINUTES were approved as written.

FINANCIAL REPORT: Assets: March 12, 2009 .............................$1,924.54
Income: none
Expenses: Website name registration $15.00
IATC semiannual dues $475.00
Total........$490.00

Assets: April 9, 2009....................................$1,434.54

CONVENTION FINANCIAL REPORT
Barb reported 65 registrants, $19,430.00 received. $69.00 has been spent on postage. On May 1st the Registration Fee will go up to $350.00.
Peter moved to accept the Report. There was a second. Report acceped.

After discussion with and about delegates to the Convention, Len moved that Donna and Leota be appointed. David seconded. Motion passed.

David agreed to be an Alternate. Barb will ask Jim to also be an Alternate.

Since Travis was not here for the Convention Report, Barb reiterated that there will be jobs for everyone — “mainly herding.” Ellen Kort will give the Sunday program. Leota will introduce her. About six (6) people have signed up for the Walking Tour.

Bill urged us to sign up for next year’s programs. The group favors a Round Robin for the September meeting.

Meeting adjourned — shortly and sweetly — at 7:18. We moved back to the Atlas Dining Room for dinner before returning to the classroom for Al Button’s program, GHG or Pollution from Ocean-Going Vessels and a stimulating discussion.

Respectfully submitted,
Janet Wullner-Faiss Cloak, Sec’ty.

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ABSTRACT

Greenhouse Gases and Ocean Shipping

Alan F. Button

April 9, 2009

Ocean shipping has been an area of poorly monitored pollution until recently. Flags of convenience ships, combined with very little international law and the vastness of the oceans had shielded this commercial business from scrutiny. Ocean shipping produces two greenhouse gasses of particular note. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which we associate with fossil fuel burning, has a global warming potential (GWP) equal to 1 and nitrous oxide, which we don’t hear much about, has a GPW equal to 289.

A typical “big” container ship burns 350 tons/day of bunker fuel (No. 6, C, bottom of the barrel, residue, up to 3.5% sulfur). Previous pollution concerns were about the soot produced (black smoke, particles that contain a 50% sulfur dioxide) which causes respiratory problems and acid rain. Estimates generated in 2007 suggest that 2.7% of all CO2 is produced by ocean shipping. Overall this CO2 production level is similar to that produced by all aviation, however, nitrous oxide levels are more than 10 times greater than aviation and sulfur dioxide levels are far higher than any other form of transportation. While ocean shipping is very efficient from an energy per ton mile perspective, major improvements are needed to reduce this major source of greenhouse gas production.

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